Risa PS800

Risa Kennedy

As the founder of Portage Counselling, I am thrilled to have you here!

A little about me

With over 20 years of experience across a variety of social service settings, I have had the privilege of working closely with children and youth in schools, supporting individuals in residential treatment centres, and guiding adults as a vocational coach and counsellor in addiction and mental health.

These diverse experiences have deepened my understanding of how each person uniquely navigates life’s challenges. I believe that beneath our different paths, we all share a common desire—to feel loved, safe, and to find healing when life's wounds run deep.

Informed by my own personal story and a love for connecting with those who feel out of place or overwhelmed by big emotions, I aim to create a space where your story is valued and celebrated. Nothing is "too much" or "off the table" with me. I value a counselling approach that honours your individuality, explores your strengths, and walks alongside you as you discover resilience, clarity, and a greater sense of belonging and self-love.

My qualifications

  • BA in Child and Youth Care - University of Victoria
  • MA in Counselling Psychology - Yorkville University
  • Canadian Certified Counsellor - Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association
  • Trained EMDR therapist - EMDR International Association
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Risa PS800

“When someone really hears you without passing judgment on you, without trying to take responsibility for you, without trying to mold you, it feels damn good. . . . When I have been listened to and when I have been heard, I am able to re-perceive my world in a new way and to go on. It is astonishing how elements which seem insoluble become soluble when someone listens. How confusions which seem irremediable turn into relatively clear flowing streams when one is heard.”
—Carl Rogers